Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister referred to markets supplying 65% of lending in America but that is not an option for an economy of our scale. Markets deal with much larger quantities and would not be interested in the small stuff.

We are all aware that much of the banks' recent lending has been in the form of refinancing rather than anything else. From personal experience, getting money out of a bank is like trying to pull teeth from a hen. Many small businesses have approached me about this matter. Irrespective of how good their business prospects, they are struggling to get any finance from the banks. The Government should ring-fence money for small businesses and control its distribution.

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